Value

Yesterday, I had a chance to meet with a friend of a friend and talk about their ideas in beginning a new web site. My role was to help provide some sort of context by relating important events and issues in history to the content of the new site. It was something that I had not done for a long, long time - and something that reminded me about the value of the work that I do. I had the chance to share stories from the past with adults - and not only were they curious, but they also were grateful. For over a decade, I have tried to do my best to entertain teens with fantastic plots, ethical challenges and the great human drama of history - in an uphill struggle to create in many the value of learning about our collective past. Here, it was easy, and I almost forgot how easy it was. Many of my friends do not share the same love of study - the same fascination with the human experience - that I have. It is rare that I get to use my knowledge of experience and experience of knowledge for an audience - but I loved it and am very grateful myself for the oppoortunity.

Obama

Barack Obama is now the Democratic nominee for the presidential election of 2008. Can he make a difference? My knowledge of history and experience observing public policy in the US lead me to think that the institutions of power endure past the intentions or outcomes of the people who influence them. Has any president been able to challenge the status quo? Even 'radicals' like Lincoln and FDR used presidential power only to serve the ends of the state. So, enlightened self interest doesn't seem to be limited to individuals. The survival of the state and its ability to perpetuate geopolitical power remains an end to itself. Obama claims to support transparency and ethics in government and a community organizing approach to pubilc policy. He also claims to radically change the approach to foreign policy by replacing the premise of US superiority with the partnership of common challenges. National security realities may change. The electorate that would potentially give him a victory definitely will. Obama will be held accountable by an entirely new constituency for the 21st century. I'll willingly be part of that group.